Min - Library Board - 2021 - 08/03 - Regular ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 3,2021
Board Members Present:
Scott Phillips, Chair(Place 4)
Maroba Zoeller, Vice Chair(Place 2)
Michelle Perry, Secretary (Place 1)
Laura Wooten(Place 3)
Kimberly Hinton(Place 5)
Adyna Akins (Place 6)
Rekha Mathai (Place 7)
Board Members Absent:
None
City Staff/Officials Present:
Jeff Timbs, Director
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present.
With a quorum of Board Members present,the Regular Meeting of the Allen Public Library
Board was called to order by Board Chair Scott Phillips at 6:31 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3,
2021, in the Allen Public Library Meeting Room, 300 North Allen Drive, Allen, Texas.
2. Approve Minutes of the May 4,2021 Regular Meeting.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Maroba Zoeller and seconded by Adyna Akins, the
Board voted (7) for and (0) opposed to approve the May 4,2021 minutes. The
motion carried.
3. Status Report on Library Initiatives and Services.
Mr. Timbs updated the board on Library initiatives and services. Normal Library hours
resumed June 1. Library usage remained lower than summer 2019, but higher than summer
2020. Donations are being accepted again, with staff temporarily coordinating the Friends of
the Library book sale. Summer Reading Club, ending on August 6, saw almost 1,600
participants. Normally, Summer Reading Club would have three times the number of •
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participants. There has been positive feedback on virtual programs, collections, and Library
services. In the upcoming Library expansion, patrons indicate they want to see an expanded
teen area and a children's interactive play area. Curbside pick-ups have continued to
decrease. By the end of August, curbside pick-up will no longer be advertised, but staff will
continue the service by request. Weekly story times for September have been set.
4. Status Report on Digital Collections.
Mr. Timbs provided a report on the Library's digital collections. The Texas cloudLibrary
consortium continues to grow. It includes 26 participating libraries, with three more slated to
join. There are 207,000 total e-books and audiobooks available through the consortium with
a collective value of more than$8 million. The Library applied for a Texas Treasures Grant
from the Texas State Library to digitize Allen American newspapers from 1972-2002. The
digital files will then be accessible from the University of North Texas Portal to Texas
History collection online. The Library has asked Allen ISD for permission to digitize
yearbooks. The paper copies are currently in the Library's collection.
5. Review and Discuss April,May, and June 2021 Library Statistics.
Mr. Timbs updated the Board on April, May, and June 2021 statistics. The total number of
items checked out in April, May, and June 2021 surpassed the total number of items checked
out in each of those months in 2020. However, more digital items were checked out in
April, May, and June 2020 than in April, May, and June 2021 as patrons were able to visit
the Library again. Curbside check outs have significantly decreased compared to last year.
Program attendance is up compared to the same time last year. The overall number of
visitors is up compared to 2020, but still down compared to 2019.
6. Receive and Discuss Update on Library Expansion Survey and Process.
The Library expansion survey to collect community feedback began July 27 and will
continue through the end of August. In late May, consultants from Hidell and Associates
Architects, Inc. met with Library staff in a series of focus groups. The Mayor-appointed
citizen steering committee toured the Library for perspective and a point of comparison when
they conduct visits of North Texas libraries, including some that have been renovated. A
second survey is planned,which will focus on items and outcomes prioritized by the
community in the first survey. Eventually, Hidell and Associates will hold a public meeting
to review survey results and common themes.
7. Recap Friends of the Library,Allen Library Endowment Fund, and ALLen
Reads Activities.
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The Library is accepting donations again for the Friends' book sale. ALLen Reads author
Kathi Appelt(Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky) will be at the
Library for a presentation and book signing on October 7. The Endowment Fund's annual
fundraiser, a wine and chocolate tasting event, is scheduled for October 16. The Endowment
Fund continues to meet with local groups and businesses to increase awareness of its
mission.
8. Discuss Items for Future Board Meeting Agendas.
None.
9. Items of Interest.[Board announcements regarding local civic and charitable events,
meetings,fundraisers, and awards.]
i. August 6—2021 Summer Reading Club Ends.
ii. September 5-6—Library Closed for Labor Day.
iii. October 7—ALLen Reads Author Kathi Appelt Presentation and Book Signing at
the Library, Time TBD.
iv. October 16—Allen Library Endowment Fundraising Event at Blue House Too, 988
Village Green Drive, at 6:30 p.m. (Tickets Required).
v. November 2—Next Scheduled Library Advisory Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
vi. November 5—Library Closed for Staff Development.
vii. Other Calendar Items.
10. Adjourn.
• MOTION: Upon a motion made by Laura Wooten and seconded by Kimberly Hinton, the
board voted (7) for and (0) opposed to adjourn the board meeting at 7:40 p.m.
The motion carried.
These minutes approved on the 2nd day of November 2021.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
•
CHAIRPERSON SEC Y